Final answer:
The United States fought against Britain in the War of 1812 instead of France due to Britain's involvement in the Napoleonic Wars, limited resources, and the British navy's actions against American ships and sailors.
Step-by-step explanation:
The War of 1812 was fought between the United States and Great Britain. The United States fought against Britain and not France in the War of 1812 for several reasons. Britain was heavily involved in the Napoleonic Wars against France and had committed a significant portion of its military forces to that conflict. As a result, Britain did not have the resources to fully commit to a war with the United States, and the British government did not desire a war with America. Additionally, the British navy was capturing American ships and impressing American sailors, which was a major factor that led the United States to declare war on Britain.